Tian Suan Rou Guan

Tian Suan Rou Guan Recipe from Hong Kong with Pork and Water Chestnuts

Region / culture: Hong Kong | Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Tian Suan Rou Guan is a traditional Chinese dish that features crispy bean curd rolls filled with a savory mixture of lean pork, water chestnuts, spring onions, and red pepper. The rolls are deep-fried until golden and then served with a tangy and sweet sauce made with ketchup, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar.

History

Tian Suan Rou Guan has its origins in Chinese cuisine and is a popular dish in many regions of China. The combination of crispy bean curd rolls and a flavorful filling has been enjoyed for generations, making it a classic dish in Chinese cooking.

Ingredients

150 g of lean pork
5 water chestnuts
2 spring onions
1 red pepper
1 egg
3 pieces of thin bean curd skin
1 tbsp of corn flour

Seasoning

1 tbsp of light soy sauce
0.33 tbsp of sugar
0.5 tbsp of salt
0.5 eggs
0.5 tbsp of corn flour

Sauce

5 tbsp of water
2 tbsp of tomato ketchup
3 tbsp of white vinegar
1 tbsp of worcestershire sauce
3 tbsp of sugar
1 tbsp of corn flour
some sesame oil

How to prepare

Remove the membrane from the water chestnuts, then hit and chop them into very small dice.
Mince the lean pork and chop the spring onion and red pepper into small dice.
Add the seasoning to all the minced and chopped ingredients, and mix well.
Cut the thin beancurd into small squares, about 3 inches in size.
Whisk the egg well, then brush it on both sides of the bean curd.
Add 0.67 tbsp of the mixed materials from step (3) onto each piece of bean curd, and wrap them into rolls.
Wrap the rolls with corn flour on the surface until the surface becomes dry.
Heat a wok and deep fry the wrapped rolls over medium heat until they turn golden. Then, remove them from the wok.
Heat a wok with 1 tbsp of oil, then pour in the sauce and cook until it boils. Finally, transfer it to a saucer.

Variations

You can customize the filling of Tian Suan Rou Guan by adding ingredients like mushrooms, bamboo shoots, or shrimp.
For a vegetarian version, you can substitute the lean pork with tofu or tempeh.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to chop all the ingredients finely to ensure that they cook evenly and blend well together.

- Brushing the bean curd with egg before filling and frying helps to create a crispy and golden exterior.

- Deep-fry the rolls in batches to avoid overcrowding the wok and ensure that they cook evenly.

- Serve the Tian Suan Rou Guan immediately after frying to enjoy them at their crispiest.

Serving Suggestions

Tian Suan Rou Guan can be served as an appetizer or as a main dish with steamed rice or noodles. It pairs well with a side of stir-fried vegetables or a fresh salad.

Cooking Techniques

The key cooking techniques for Tian Suan Rou Guan include chopping, mincing, wrapping, deep-frying, and making a tangy sauce.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you cannot find water chestnuts, you can substitute them with jicama or celery for a similar crunchy texture. You can also use ground chicken or turkey instead of lean pork.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the filling and sauce for Tian Suan Rou Guan in advance and store them in the refrigerator until ready to assemble and fry the rolls.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Tian Suan Rou Guan on a platter garnished with sliced spring onions and a drizzle of sesame oil for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Tian Suan Rou Guan pairs well with a light and refreshing white wine or a cup of green tea to balance the flavors of the dish.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover Tian Suan Rou Guan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the oven or toaster oven to maintain their crispy texture.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Tian Suan Rou Guan contains approximately 250 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Tian Suan Rou Guan contains approximately 15 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Tian Suan Rou Guan contains approximately 10 grams of fats.

Proteins

Each serving of Tian Suan Rou Guan contains approximately 12 grams of proteins.

Vitamins and minerals

Tian Suan Rou Guan is a good source of vitamin C from the red pepper and spring onions. It also provides iron and zinc from the lean pork.

Alergens

Tian Suan Rou Guan contains soy and wheat allergens from the soy sauce and corn flour used in the recipe.

Summary

Tian Suan Rou Guan is a balanced dish that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals, making it a nutritious choice for a meal.

Summary

Tian Suan Rou Guan is a delicious and crispy Chinese dish that combines savory bean curd rolls with a flavorful filling and a tangy sauce. With a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, it is a nutritious and satisfying meal option for any occasion.

How did I get this recipe?

The memory of finding this recipe for the first time brings a smile to my face. It was a warm summer day, and I was visiting my friend Mei at her home in the countryside. Mei had always been a wonderful cook, and I had been lucky enough to learn many delicious recipes from her over the years.

On this particular day, Mei had prepared a dish called Tian Suan Rou Guan, which translates to "Sweet and Sour Pork Strips." The fragrant aroma filled the air as she placed the dish on the table, and I couldn't wait to try it. The pork strips were tender and juicy, coated in a sticky sweet and sour sauce that was simply divine.

I asked Mei where she had learned to make such a delicious dish, and she smiled, saying that the recipe had been passed down through her family for generations. She graciously offered to teach me how to make it, and I eagerly accepted.

We spent the afternoon in Mei's kitchen, chopping vegetables, marinating the pork, and slowly simmering the sauce until it reached the perfect consistency. Mei guided me through each step, sharing tips and tricks that she had learned from her mother and grandmother.

As we sat down to enjoy our meal, I couldn't help but marvel at how a simple dish could hold so much history and tradition. The flavors were a perfect balance of sweet and sour, the pork melted in my mouth, and I knew that this recipe would become a cherished favorite in my own kitchen.

Over the years, I have made Tian Suan Rou Guan countless times, each time thinking back to that sunny day in Mei's kitchen. I have shared the recipe with friends and family, passing on the tradition that Mei had so generously shared with me.

One of my fondest memories of making this dish was when my granddaughter, Sarah, asked me to teach her how to cook it. She had always shown an interest in my recipes and had a natural talent in the kitchen.

I welcomed Sarah into my home, just as Mei had welcomed me all those years ago. Together, we worked side by side, chopping, stirring, and tasting along the way. Sarah had a knack for flavors and a curiosity for learning new techniques. I could see the same passion for cooking that had always been a part of me.

As we sat down to eat the Tian Suan Rou Guan that we had made together, I felt a sense of pride and joy. The dish was delicious, of course, but more importantly, it represented a connection between generations. The recipe that had been passed down to me from Mei, and now passed down to Sarah, was a link to our past and a promise for the future.

I know that Sarah will continue to make this dish for years to come, just as I have. And I hope that she will pass it on to her own grandchildren, sharing the story of how she learned to make Tian Suan Rou Guan from her grandmother, just as I am doing now.

The memory of finding this recipe for the first time will always bring a smile to my face. It is a reminder of the power of food to connect us, to nourish us, and to bring us together. And for that, I am eternally grateful.